Brad Gresham, a graduate of Emory University, is the South Region Business Development Director for Xylem Inc’s Wachs Water Services and Pure Technologies, Ltd. Brad has worked in the water industry over 20 years with experience in the development and implementation of water sector asset management condition assessment solutions. He has participated in multiple National and Regional conference presentations and technical sessions throughout the United States focusing primarily in the southeast region.

I have given presentations at almost every water related conference in the southeast United States as well as technical sessions and continuing education classes.

The Value of Comprehensive Leak Detection:

An Innovative approach to Reducing Real Water Loss

 This presentation is designed for utilities with an interest in developing programs to reduce real water losses from their drinking water distribution systems.  Together, we will look at how a comprehensive approach for reducing real water loss can benefit utilities and share lessons learned and the added value from comprehensive leak detection efforts.

Many utilities are faced with the challenges of higher than acceptable Non-Revenue Water (NRW) and are seeking solutions to reduce it with an acceptable return on investment.  NRW and more specifically real water loss, is a growing challenge and opportunity for water utilities.  At the same time, utilities are working to get their asset management programs up to speed.   A comprehensive internal and external leak detection approach attacks both targets.

Increasingly, utilities are seeking to reduce NRW to sustainable levels through the implementation of leak detection programs.   Scarcity of water resources in many areas of the country has dramatically escalated the importance and cost of real loss.  This new and highly effective approach includes the utilization of both internal and external tools and processes that capture asset inventory and condition data while identifying and meaningfully reducing real water loss in distribution systems.

As outlined in the AWWA M36 Water Audits and Loss Control Programs, this solution is a key technique to identify, measure and verify losses.  It is also a component to help instill accountability while controlling losses as part of the procedures necessary to conduct a water audit and recover missed revenues. Comprehensive Leak Detection is an important step to implementing a leakage and pressure management program to control real losses and preserve source water resources;

• Better water resource management through reduced apparent and real water losses
• Revenue optimization and ratepayer equity
• Optimizing operations and supply, improved and more reliable data integrity
• Reducing the potential for contamination
• Increased knowledge of the distribution system, including the location of mains and valves, pressure levels, and demand variations. This helps the utility to respond more quickly to emergencies and reduce the consequences of failure and liability to the municipality
• Improved overall asset management